Definition
Drugs or medicines are preparations which are intended for medical use on humans. They are used not only for the treatment of diseases, but also for prevention (e.g. vaccines) and for diagnostics (e.g. contrast media). Veterinary drugs, which are used in animals, are also counted among medicinal products.
Active pharmaceutical ingredients
Pharmaceuticals usually contain active ingredients that impart pharmacodynamic properties. Today, the majority of these are defined chemical compounds, such as the pain-relieving ibuprofen or the blood pressure-lowering valsartan. Such active ingredients were first produced in the 19th century. Early synthetic active ingredients include, for example, acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) and phenazone (antipyrine). The opioid morphine was isolated at the beginning of the 19th century. In this context, one also speaks of pure substances. Active ingredients can also be biological macromolecules such as proteins, enzymes, receptors, antibodies and nucleic acids. And plant extracts (phytopharmaceuticals) continue to play an important role in drug therapy.
Pharmaceutical excipients
In addition to the active ingredient, so-called excipients are also needed to manufacture a drug. For example, tablets can very rarely be pressed from the pure active ingredient. Fillers give them mass and volume, binders hold them together, disintegrants ensure that they dissolve well in the stomach, and colorants give them an appealing appearance. In percentage terms, a drug often contains more excipients than active ingredients. A medium-sized tablet weighs about 500 mg. If 50 mg of active ingredient is contained, it consists of 90% excipients.
Dosage forms and administration
Dosage forms, drug forms, or galenic forms refer to the type of drug. These include, for example:
- Tablets
- Capsules
- Solutions
- Granules
- Creams
- Ointments
- Injection and infusion solutions
- Eye drops, ear drops
- Transdermal patches
- Inhalation solutions
- Suppositories
Medicines differ in their administration (mode of application). They are ingested, injected, inhaled, inserted into a body orifice and applied to the skin.
